2018 Nissan Altima Owner’s Manual

The 2018 Nissan Altima is a popular choice among midsize sedans because it is both useful and reliable. With a good mix of comfort and speed, the Altima is good for both short trips and long ones. The sleek, aerodynamic design goes well with the efficient engineering, and the roomy, well-equipped interior makes it easy for passengers to get in and out. Under the hood, you can choose between a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine and a powerful V6 engine, which make for a well-rounded driving experience. The 2018 Altima has the latest technology and safety features, so drivers can feel safe and stay in touch. The 2018 Nissan Altima is still a practical and smart choice for people who want a comfortable and versatile sedan for everyday use. It has a history of being reliable and good value.

Starting and driving

PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING AND DRIVING
WARNING

• Do not leave children or adults who would normally require the assistance of others alone in your vehicle. Pets should also not be left alone. They could accidentally injure themselves or others through the inadvertent operation of the vehicle. Also, on hot, sunny days, temperatures in a closed vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause severe or possibly fatal injuries to people or animals.
• Closely supervise children when they are around cars to prevent them from playing and becoming locked in the trunk where they could be seriously injured. Keep the car locked, with the rear seatback and trunk lid securely latched when not in use, and prevent children’s access to car keys.

EXHAUST GAS (carbon monoxide)
WARNING

• Do not breathe exhaust gases; they contain colorless and odorless carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is dangerous. It can cause unconsciousness or death.
• If you suspect that exhaust fumes are entering the vehicle, drive with all windows fully open, and have the vehicle inspected immediately.
• Do not run the engine in closed spaces such as a garage.
• Do not park the vehicle with the engine running for any extended length of time.
• Keep the rear vent windows, liftgates, doors, and trunk lids (if so equipped) closed while driving, otherwise, exhaust gases could be drawn into the passenger compartment.
  If electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass to a trailer through the seal on the trunk lid or the body, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation to prevent carbon monoxide entry into the vehicle.
• The exhaust system and body should be inspected by a qualified mechanic whenever:
  • The vehicle is raised for service.
  • You suspect that exhaust fumes are entering the passenger compartment.
  • You notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system.
  • You have had an accident involving damage to the exhaust system, underbody, or rear of the vehicle.

THREE-WAY CATALYST
The three-way catalyst is an emission control device installed in the exhaust system. Exhaust gases in the three-way catalyst are burned at high temperatures to help reduce pollutants.

WARNING

• The exhaust gas and the exhaust system are very hot. Keep people, animals, or flammable materials away from the exhaust system components.
• Do not stop or park the vehicle over flammable materials such as dry grass, waste paper, or rags. They may ignite and cause a fire.
• Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits from leaded gasoline will seriously reduce the three-way catalyst’s ability to help reduce exhaust pollutants.
• Keep your engine tuned up. Malfunctions in the ignition, fuel injection, or electrical systems can cause overrich fuel flow into the three-way catalyst, causing it to overheat. Do not keep driving if the engine misfires, or if a noticeable loss of performance or other unusual operating conditions is detected. Have the vehicle inspected promptly. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
• Avoid driving with an extremely low fuel level. Running out of fuel could cause the engine to misfire, damaging the three-way catalyst.
• Do not race the engine while warming it up.
• Do not push or tow your vehicle to start the engine.

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check all your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternative tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevents the TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.

Additional information

• When replacing a wheel without the TPMS such as the spare tire, the TPMS does not monitor the tire pressure of the spare tire.
• The TPMS will activate only when the vehicle is driven at speeds above 16 mph (25 km/h). Also, this system may not detect a sudden drop in tire pressure (for example, a flat tire while driving).
• The low tire pressure warning light does not automatically turn off when the tire pressure is adjusted on all four tires. After all four tires are inflated to the recommended pressure, the vehicle must be driven at speeds above 16 mph (25 km/h) to activate the TPMS and turn off the low tire pressure warning light. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the tire pressure.
• The “Tire Pressure Low – Add Air” warning appears in the vehicle information display when the low tire pressure warning light is illuminated and low tire pressure is detected. The “Tire Pressure Low – Add Air” warning turns off when the low tire pressure warning light turns off.
• The “Tire Pressure Low – Add Air” warning appears each time the ignition switch is placed in the ON position as long as the low tire pressure warning light remains illuminated.
• The “Tire Pressure Low – Add Air” warning does not appear if the low tire pressure warning light illuminates to indicate a TPMS malfunction.
• Tire pressure rises and falls depending on the heat caused by the vehicle’s operation and the outside temperature. Do not reduce the tire pressure after driving because the tire pressure rises after driving. Low outside temperature can lower the temperature of the air inside the tire which can cause a lower tire inflation pressure. This may cause the low tire pressure warning light to illuminate. If the warning light illuminates, check the tire pressure for all four tires.
• The Tire and Loading Information label is located in the driver’s door opening.
• You can also check the tire pressure of all tires (except the spare) on the vehicle information display screen. The order of the tire pressure figures displayed on the screen corresponds with the actual order of the tire position.

For additional information, refer to “Low tire pressure warning light” in the “Instruments and controls” section, “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in the “In case of emergency” section, and “Tire pressure” in the “Do-it-yourself” section of this manual.

WARNING

• Radio waves could adversely affect electric medical equipment. Those who use a pacemaker should contact the electric medical equipment manufacturer for possible influences before use.
• If the low tire pressure warning light illuminates while driving, avoid sudden steering maneuvers or abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed, pull off the road to a safe location, and stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Driving with underinflated tires may permanently damage the tires and increase the likelihood of tire failure. Serious vehicle damage could occur and may lead to an accident and could result in serious personal injury. Check the tire pressure for all four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended COLD tire pressure shown on the Tire and Loading Information label to turn the low tire pressure warning light off. If you have a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire as soon as possible. (For additional information, refer to “Flat tire” in the “In case of emergency” section for changing a flat tire.)
• When replacing a wheel without the TPMS such as the spare tire, when a spare tire is mounted or a wheel is replaced, tire pressure will not be indicated, the TPMS will not function and the low tire pressure warning light will flash for approximately 1 minute. The light will remain on after 1 minute. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for tire replacement and/or system resetting.
• Replacing tires with those not originally specified by NISSAN could affect the proper operation of the TPMS.
• Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol tire sealant into the tires, as this may cause a malfunction of the tire pressure sensors.

CAUTION: Do not place metalized film or any metal parts (antenna, etc.) on the windows. This may cause poor reception of the signals from the tire pressure sensors, and the TPMS will not function properly.

Some devices and transmitters may temporarily interfere with the operation of the TPMS and cause the low tire pressure warning light to illuminate.
Some examples are:

1. Facilities or electric devices using similar radio frequencies are near the vehicle.
2. If a transmitter set to similar frequencies is being used in or near the vehicle.
3. If a computer (or similar equipment) or a DC/AC converter is being used in or near the vehicle.

The low tire pressure warning light may illuminate in the following cases:

• If the vehicle is equipped with a wheel and tire without TPMS.
• If the TPMS has been replaced and the ID has not been registered.
• If the wheel is not originally specified by NISSAN.

OPERATING RANGE

The Intelligent Key functions can only be used when the Intelligent Key is within the specified operating range.
When the Intelligent Key battery is almost discharged or strong radio waves are present near the operating location, the Intelligent Key system’s operating range becomes narrower and may not function properly.
If the Intelligent Key is within the operating range, it is possible for anyone, even someone who does not carry the Intelligent Key, to push the ignition switch to start the engine.
The operating range of the engine start function is inside Vehicle 1.

• The luggage area is not included in the operating range, but the Intelligent Key may function.
• If the Intelligent Key is placed on the instrument panel, inside the glove box, storage bin, or door pocket, the Intelli-gent Key may not function.
• If the Intelligent Key is placed near the door or window outside the vehicle, the Intelligent Key may function.

PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH POSITIONS
LOCK (Normal parking position)

• The ignition switch can only be locked in this position.
• The ignition switch will be unlocked when it is pushed to the ACC position while carrying the Intelligent Key.
• The ignition switch will lock when any door is opened or closed with the ignition switched off.

FAQ’s